RE: As about the plans...

RE: As about the plans... (Full Version)

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> After Action Reports

Message

ny59giants -> RE: As about the plans... (8/4/2010 3:46:57 PM)
Part 1 would be the invasion of Ceylon to get the Allies to move troops and assets south. It is probably too late to stop the Australian 6th and 7th Divisions from getting into India, but there is a British Division that gets in later that needs to be stopped. Part 2 would be my landings further up the coast and would probably trigger the extra Indian troops. There is an Indian Division at Bombay, but has a lot of its combat power is disabled and the experience level is low. The Allies have the troops to slow down or stop the Japanese, but can they get enough experience before they are destroyed??

John 3rd -> Game is NOT Over! (8/6/2010 7:23:23 AM)
We are back and running. Our two Ken opponents are going through with the war. BANZAI! The India Operation shall be tried. There will be a thorough brainstorming session conducted on this AAR. All opinions welcome--just remember I am the cautious and semi-sane one of this pairing! [8D] My Combat Report for 2-25-42 isn't much. My remaining CVs moved slowly South and encountered nothing. The evening say BB Yamato, BCs Ashitaka and Haruna, and two CA blast the pogees out of Christmas Island. Catch the results: 64 planes destroyed on the AF (44 P-40, 12 F4F, and 9 Catalina), 698 Casualties, and 324 Runway Hits... [image]local://upfiles/18041/A7BD81AFF64A4C28B7BBAB86034E7C1E.jpg[/image]

yubari -> RE: Game is NOT Over! (8/6/2010 5:36:55 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: John 3rd All opinions welcome--just remember I am the cautious and semi-sane one of this pairing! [8D] After three months against FatR, I can only agree with you here[:D] A stunning victory against the US. India should still be feeble at this stage of the war, and will be for another few months. I am in mid March now and the Indian troops are only at about level 30 experience, a landing at or near Bombay or even further north, Ahmadebad (?) should be successful. Do you know where the Royal Navy is based?

Canoerebel -> RE: Game is NOT Over! (8/6/2010 5:56:19 PM)
Hmm, I just don't see it this way. First, a 5:3 carrier battle isn't a major Japanese victory even if the Allies are left without carriers for the rest of '42 and into early '43. The Allies will survive. Long term, the 5:3 ratio is actually an Allied victory. Secondly, I don't see how India is an easy target. The Allies get a decent number of troops there and can use time, terrain, forts, and airfields to counter the enemy moves. Wherever the Japanese go in force in '42, they will at least temporarily overwhelm the enemy, but the enemy is going to adjust so that the disparity will diminish as time goes on. No way Japan is going to conquer India, in my opinion. I think you'd be better off shooting for Ceylon and northeast India (say Diamon Harbor to Ledo).

Nemo121 -> RE: Game is NOT Over! (8/6/2010 6:10:13 PM)
I think that the thing which will work for the Japanese team here is the lacklustre performance of their opposition. 5:3 is not a win by any stretch of the imagination. Strategically it changes the turnover point rather significantly but the question is whether their opponents realise this and can capitalise on it... If we look at what we know of their reaction so far instead of recognising its strategic import one of them almost quit. That hardly speaks of their recognition of the strategic impact of this. If they don't recognise this repercussion then they are unlikely to be able to shape the rest of their strategic planning in order to capitalise on this.

Canoerebel -> RE: Game is NOT Over! (8/6/2010 6:11:45 PM)
And what about Hawaii? Why? 1) Without a carrier force how can the Allies contest the waters around Hawaii? That means it's difficult/impossible to bring in supplies, reinforcements, etc. 2) It probably puts enormous pressure on the Allies perhaps leading to additional mistakes (IE, opportunities for the Japanese to sink stuff). 3) Much smaller territory for the Japanese to subdue and control. 4) Not sure about this: Can Japanese 2EB suppress Pearl's airfield? If so, that eliminates the only real deterrent that I can think of. 5) A campaign for Hawaii makes maximum use of the Japanese advantage (seapower) and the Allied disadvantage (seapower), whereas in a campaign for India land units and LBA play a huge role, and the Japanese advantage isn't as big there. 6) Japanese control of Hawaii really messes with the LOC between America and Oz and opens up the West Coast to sub and combat ship raids. Just "thinking out loud."

janh -> RE: Game is NOT Over! (8/6/2010 7:02:16 PM)
Despite the increased numbers of future CVs to be delivered to both side, I kind of agree with Canorebel on this point. Taking Hawaii would make best use of IJN assets, cause lots of collateral damage, and deprive the US of a jump board into CentPac, as well as SE-Pac. The lines of communication to NZ and OZ would be stretched and exposed, especially if the Japanese would also control the Line Islands. I am quite sure the US could not effectively return to the fight and bring the fight to OZ, the DEI, Philippines or Marinas without retaking Hawaii. I assume they must take the islands before attacking far beyond OZ, and this would be very costly. If the islands are fortified well with major LCUs, CD units and anti-naval air, this will require a large force of CV's, with well trained V(M)F and (torpedo)bombers, and a major landing fleet with lots of heavy LCUs. I don't exactly know how long it would take the USN to accumulate 6-8 CV plus additional CVL/CVE, but I assume 6 would be a bare min as long as KB is active and could come around. Taking the islands back will be time-consuming, and allow effective counterstrikes by IJN/KB without much of a rush. Maybe the US side wouldn't even be able to accumulate enough CV before early 1944, or even later. Further, possession of these islands allows effective raiding of US supply convoys to OZ, or respectively drying it out and allowing IJA forces and LBA maybe to raid that continent for an extended while, attacking under-supplied forces. This would give maybe benefits of training against a weak enemy. In contrast USN and CV air would have problems gaining experience in battle since they will have a hard time to find targets that can be easily attacked while having to bypass Hawaii. And they will have dire need to protect their convoys to and fro OZ, especially if IJN carriers participate regularly in shipping raids. I think there could be lots of benefits if Hawaii could be taken. However, what would it take (the US must have an equivalent of 3-5 Divs there)? What air platforms would be encountered, and could that threat be countered by heavy bombardment TFs? Any naval assets there I would rather consider fruits than threats. Long term I think the plan to attack India makes sense, and would be my goal as well. But I would think about a way to take Hawaii. And if I could scrounge the forces together to pull that off, and only delay the invasion of India by this adventure by less than 6 weeks, then I would go for that first.

bklooste -> RE: Game is NOT Over! (8/7/2010 1:53:15 PM)
Not sure im normally very pro Hawaii , but in this case I would prefer Ceylon as its a bit late , you have already sunk the US Cvs and he may have a lot of air at PH. For a start he may have the air groups traing from those CVs there as some would have evacuated via Pamlrya . I would be pretty confident of what remains of KB clearing the skies for a Ceylon landing as most of the british air is normally in support fo Burma (esp with a push there) but not so sure about Hawaii. Note Ceylon now is far riskier than at the start but its safer than hawaii and will draw most of the british air and attritioning it is with the IJAAF is what you want since Japan can build as many planes as it needs ( and use it to train crappy army pilots) .

FatR -> RE: As about the plans... (8/7/2010 9:24:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: ny59giants I know this may sound even more far fetched than current ideas, but "if' you are going for the total conquest of India, then you may need to be even more out of the box. I would land a small force at Addu. the AF is (1)0 and could be expanded to size 2 to support Nell/Betty. This would be enough to isolate Colombo from reinforcements from the sea. I believe this can work only as a temporary solution to free forces for the mainland attack. The threat to Japanese communications from Ceilon (subs and surface raiding forces, supplemented by land-based airsearch) will swiftly grow strong.

FatR -> RE: As about the plans... (8/7/2010 9:43:40 PM)
I'd comment about why Hawaii don't seem the best option to me right now, but Yubari is reading this thread and I don't want to clue him on my operational thinking (oh well, need to get my thoughts together and get on with making the turn for that game). Of course, my current thoughts might be infuences by my own faults as a naval tactician... and the fact that I naturally don't want my own sphere of responsibility to become an inactive theatre (save for China, where I see enough weaknesses in Allied position to move swiftly and aggressively).

FatR -> RE: Game is NOT Over! (8/8/2010 5:05:54 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Canoerebel Hmm, I just don't see it this way. First, a 5:3 carrier battle isn't a major Japanese victory even if the Allies are left without carriers for the rest of '42 and into early '43. The Allies will survive. Long term, the 5:3 ratio is actually an Allied victory. I do not agree with this logic in general. Long-term, nearly everything short of one-sided defeats is an Allied victory. Yes, the ratio of exchange compares unfavorably to the ratio of future replacements. But in stock I'll be willing to exchange 3 carriers, particularly if 2 of them are Soryu and Hiryu for 5 USN ones in nearly all situations possible after the moment USN actually has 5 carriers available. Practically eliminating USN ability to project power beyond the reach of Allied LBA until autumn of 1943 at the earliest? Yes, please. The benefits of not really having to fear an Allied jump to your strategic weak spot for such a long period are massive. And reduction of my ability to storm Hawaii or maybe even Ceilon will mean little - unless I'm not already on the shore there at that point, I'm not going there. Now in this mod, the situation is different. Simply because both sides have more stuff, so losing five carriers is not as crippling in short and medium term to Allies. And therefore the benefits of exchanging ships at relatively acceptable rate will start to outweight the drawbacks of having your active carrier force annihilated much sooner. Still, there are obvious drawbacks for us to capitalize on in the short term.

John 3rd -> RE: Game is NOT Over! (8/9/2010 12:02:04 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Canoerebel And what about Hawaii? Why? 1) Without a carrier force how can the Allies contest the waters around Hawaii? That means it's difficult/impossible to bring in supplies, reinforcements, etc. 2) It probably puts enormous pressure on the Allies perhaps leading to additional mistakes (IE, opportunities for the Japanese to sink stuff). 3) Much smaller territory for the Japanese to subdue and control. 4) Not sure about this: Can Japanese 2EB suppress Pearl's airfield? If so, that eliminates the only real deterrent that I can think of. 5) A campaign for Hawaii makes maximum use of the Japanese advantage (seapower) and the Allied disadvantage (seapower), whereas in a campaign for India land units and LBA play a huge role, and the Japanese advantage isn't as big there. 6) Japanese control of Hawaii really messes with the LOC between America and Oz and opens up the West Coast to sub and combat ship raids. Just "thinking out loud." I really LIKE this thought. It would be bold in the extreme. To say the Americans are weak here--right now--is an understatement. The only issue with it is we don't gain anything in terms of supply, resources, and industry. What would a victory here truly gain us? We'd get a bunch of troops and aircraft and force the Americans to--probably--start their offensive here...

FatR -> RE: Game is NOT Over! (8/11/2010 6:59:34 PM)
The General Army-Navy Agreement Proposal: Order of Battle for India So, it is time to add some meat to the bare bones of my proposal. In the light of British making a run for the hills in Burma, I propose to start my own part of operation, overland drive to Bengalia across the coast, right away. With support units from Singapore already heading to Rangoon, I'll have a lot of air support and engineers to provide the solid foundation to Japanese airpower for this operation. Adding AA units from Singapore to those already in Southern Burma, I'll also be able to provide truly heavy flak cover to the Japanese spearhead (as British lack planes to conduct an air offensive against Japanese airfields in Burma, we won't need flack there for now). Imperial Guards and elements of 55th, the same troops that took Burma, will lead the overland assault. I also want to pick elite 41st Regiment from Singapore and drop a naval guard unit there instead. A garrizon unit or two naval guards will be required to garrizon Rangoon. I really don't want to leave any quality infantry in the rear. 33rd Division will be shipped from Sumatra and Batavia (in the latter case, immediately after the city falls) to reinforce the attack. Finally, I want to lift 146th Regiment from Koepang to reconstitute the scattered 56th Division after Java falls, and add it to my part of the force and to pick some of the Southern Army's artillery as well. IJAAF units from DEI will be wholly transferred to cover the operation in the air, and I believe, that they'll be able to completely swamp and overwhelm British, enabling me to bomb at will. I intend to withdraw air units newly shifted to China back again as the battle in Burma intensifies. These reinforcements will be massed in Rangoon and their deployment will depend on immediate Allied reaction, which will be fairly easy to ascertain through our air recon assets. If Allies decide to make a stand at Cox's Bazaar (them moving fast enough to mount a credible defense at Akyab is unlikely), I'll need to make an amphibiuous landing in Chittagong, to break from the jungle and prevent the bottling of Japanese offensive with a relatively small commitment. Once we're out of jungle, I expect offensive to roll smothly until Calcutta, thanks to about 150-200 Sallies and Helens I'll be able to bring to bear. Such landing will require a decent naval force: 2-3 old BBs to bombard, 2 decent CAs to provide a covering force, 2-4 old CAs/CLs to include in the amphibious force. Brief (a few days) commitment of 2-3 CVEs/CVLs will make thing somewhat easier. Surface combatants I want at my disposal on permanent basis, to make regular bombardments run and whatever. I trust you'll be able to mostly keep RN off my neck, John, once it will be the time for this landing. I also want to concentrate Japanese paratroops in Burma and try to seize Imphal. This will cut off the railline to the coast of Bengalia, preventing easy reinforcement and evacuation. Now about the Ceilon - eastern coast of India drive, I think that we can devote 2nd, 5th, 16th, 18th, 38th and 48th Divisions to it once Java and Bataan are finished. And rest of the troops from Bataan as well. 21st Division, once Tennant Creek is taken, concluding our operations in Australia, will provide a reserve, going to whomever needs it more. As the staging ground for them, I propose Singapore. DEI will need two more NavGuards and two batallion-sized units for garrizons, but otherwise I propose to leave no AV there. Our offensive will be its defense for the time being. I don't think that a feint in the Pacific is a good idea at the moment, John. In the current situation, Allies are much more likely to grit their teeth and allow you to take whatever islands you want, than to try and reinforce. If you want to use 4th Division to confuse our opponents, I propose putting more pressure on them in Australia, to hopefully draw more British/Commonwealth reinforcements there. So, thoughts?

John 3rd -> New Operational Planning (8/12/2010 12:18:46 AM)
Admiral Yamamoto take a deep breath before responding... OK. The Kaigun can/will support this operation. This is what will be available in roughly 2-3 weeks: CVs---We have 4 CVs, 1 CVL, 1 CVE available for immediate use. A further CV and CVL will be available within 30 days (figuring damage repairs). BB/BC---We are in good shape with having Yamato/Musashi and 5 BC (3 Old and 2 Modern) ready for support of the CV TF and for Raiding. There are plenty of older BB that can be used for escort and bombardment. I propose the following: 1. Moving all the CVs to Singapore where upgrades and slight damage can be repaired. The CV and CVL needing serious repair (about 24 and 29 combined damage--Sys/Flot) will move to the Home Islands and form the core of Pacific CV strength until the IO Operation is completed. 2. Let me take over all combatant vessels for a period of 10-14 days to move them around and arrange them to our mutual satisfaction. The Older BB, assorted CAs/CLs, and a decent number of DDs will be assigned to you and your Ops. 3. We will shift about 15-20 SS from other areas and send them into the IO for offensive operations. CONCERNS A. What is the Strategic Goal of what you propose with this Operation? Is there a concrete ending? From my perspective I would like a mass surrender of Allied troops if--somehow--possible. The gaining of industry and resources would be massively beneficial and allow us to fully open up the Shipyards for getting more warships completed. Pushing the Allies AWAY from Burma and Malaya is the third benefit as I see it. B. You will send--effectively--the entire army into India. All that is holding the Pacific is Naval Guard, SNLF, and two Inf Brigades. That--is--it. Are there any Independent Regiments or Brigades I can use for the Pacific and have as a Reaction Force? C. I think Australia must be held by a strong enough force to keep the Allies away from Darwin for at least a year--preferably 18 months--to safeguard the DEI. I believe leaving an Inf Div and an Inf Brig plus enough support to keep the AFs running behind them a minimum force requirement. The 4th Inf Div can be used to feint Townsville then slide west and head for Cloncurry OR I can stop it where it is and use it to keep Cairns and the NE Coast Japanese for a good 4-6 months. D. Airpower--The Fleet will be committed in the IO. I need to make sure there is enough Daitai of Fighters and Bombers to have a credible deterent in case the Allies decide to try something with just a few CVs. I'll look around the map and see what is currently deployed in the Pacific. E. We have done nothing with the Aleutians. I'd like to grab a couple of bases up there to keep the Americans away from that avenue of approach. Those are my initial thoughts...

CaptBeefheart -> RE: New Operational Planning (8/12/2010 8:27:12 AM)
Good luck. I'm sure I'm not the only one who likes to see bold moves in AARs. Cheers, CC

FatR -> RE: New Operational Planning (8/12/2010 9:51:38 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: John 3rd 1. Moving all the CVs to Singapore where upgrades and slight damage can be repaired. The CV and CVL needing serious repair (about 24 and 29 combined damage--Sys/Flot) will move to the Home Islands and form the core of Pacific CV strength until the IO Operation is completed. 2. Let me take over all combatant vessels for a period of 10-14 days to move them around and arrange them to our mutual satisfaction. The Older BB, assorted CAs/CLs, and a decent number of DDs will be assigned to you and your Ops. OK, do it. Currently most of the vessels assigned to DEI are in Singapore, save for cruisers and destroyers that are escorting troops to Rangoon/were just detached to hunt damaged CL Tromp, just in case. The old BB bombardment group will pound Wenchow one more time on this turn, to support the ground assault, and head to Singapore. quote: ORIGINAL: John 3rd 3. We will shift about 15-20 SS from other areas and send them into the IO for offensive operations. CONCERNS A. What is the Strategic Goal of what you propose with this Operation? Is there a concrete ending? Total control over India, and neutralization of the entire strategic direction, plus gaining enough resources, oil and industry on the same subcontinent to keep the economic running despite any Allied advances through the Pacific. Elimination of Allied forces existing or due to arrive on the subcontinent is a big bonus as well. Strategic goal of my own ground offensive is tying down Allied forces and battling them in terrain that will allow a favorable rate of attrition. Unlike Chinese, British/Indian cannot soak hundreds casualties per day from aviation alone so a battle of attrition against most of the Allied reserves in open terrain of Bengalia is something I hope for. If Allies do not accept a stand before Calcutta, Japanese at least gain light industry to partially support their army and an advantageous position to surround and besiege British in Calcutta or whatever place they choose to make a stand. quote: ORIGINAL: John 3rd B. You will send--effectively--the entire army into India. All that is holding the Pacific is Naval Guard, SNLF, and two Inf Brigades. That--is--it. Are there any Independent Regiments or Brigades I can use for the Pacific and have as a Reaction Force? We can buy an elite regiment or two from Manchukuo later, if 4th Division will be kept occupied in Australia. Although I do believe that the only outer part of your current perimeter that should be seriously contested is Marshalls/Gilberts (and Central Pacific islands to the north of them). And there we will be able to reconquer possible Allied bridgeheads later in the year, as long as most the islands remain Japanese. Conquests in Southern Pacific, IMO, should be considered expendable. See later parts of cap_n_gown's AAR for the line of defensive thought I like the most (there his opponent obliged him by spending alot of time on reconquering Southern Pacific, which was not meant only as a forefield anyway, but our opponents won't have the fleet to attempt anything more daring than picking off the farthest outlying islands, except as a suicide invasion). Of course, most naval guards and units like this will go to your zone. I need about two of those that will arrive in March, to fill the above-mentioned garrizon needs. quote: ORIGINAL: John 3rd C. I think Australia must be held by a strong enough force to keep the Allies away from Darwin for at least a year--preferably 18 months--to safeguard the DEI. I believe leaving an Inf Div and an Inf Brig plus enough support to keep the AFs running behind them a minimum force requirement. I don't like idea of leaving 21st Division sitting idly a theatre that was supposed to be a distraction to begin with. I do believe, that Darwin is useless as long as Japanese possess both Torres Strait bases and Port Hedland. Also, as Allies won't be able to recon the entire Japanese position in Australia after Tennant Creek is seized, fog of war will mask the lack of force. And if Allies launch a strong drive north anyway, Darwin itself can be reinforces much faster than their forces can advance. Anyway, we can decide the task of 21st Division once Tennant Creek is occupied, by which time our immediate perspectives in India should become clear. quote: ORIGINAL: John 3rd The 4th Inf Div can be used to feint Townsville then slide west and head for Cloncurry OR I can stop it where it is and use it to keep Cairns and the NE Coast Japanese for a good 4-6 months. The second idea is probably the better one. quote: ORIGINAL: John 3rd E. We have done nothing with the Aleutians. I'd like to grab a couple of bases up there to keep the Americans away from that avenue of approach. Aleutians is the only place in the Pacific where, I think, an expansion is worthwile. I'd personally prefer to return to them a few months later, after the main fleet operations in IO are concluded, and with above-mentioned regiments from Manchukuo, which can start preparing for their targets now. But, alternatively, if you think the outer islands are still ungarrizoned, instead of such methodical approach, you can try taking them on cheap right now in March, without carrier support, as Allies have nothing to contest the landings with anyway. Just land a couple of SNLFs and construction units, to start fortifying Attu, Kiska and maybe Umnac.

FatR -> RE: New Operational Planning (9/9/2010 8:51:07 PM)
The End on Luzon and Java It is March 13th in this game, and this date should be noted, because Bataan fell to a shock attack on this day. Lack of supply probably was the decisive factor. Batavia was seized a day earlier, and the relatively small Dutch force at Bandoeng is the only remaining ember of resistance behind Japanese lines. Well, except Philippine Islands, other than Luzon. We're leaving them alone for now. First Moves Towards India Japanese Army offensive towards Bengal is underway, with the main force marching along the coast. Undefended Akyab was captured by paradrop, cutting off the way of retreat for the Burma Corps elements. I believe this, plus Japanese air activity, should draw our opponents' attention. Other Theatres Port Hedland was recently taken as well (and it was undefended as well), and after that I transferred the overall control of the Australian theatre to John. In China Japanese are about to start battering their way to Sian. This turn my spearhead will bombard to see AV of the first Chinese roadblock.

John 3rd -> New Operational Planning (9/10/2010 2:22:28 AM)
We haven't updated the Thread in quite a while due to NOTHING really happening after the big Carrier Battle NE of the Line Islands. The campaign for India had to wait until those surrenders at Bataan and in Java occurred. Now we can get the ball rolling. As Stanislav mentioned, I have taken over our rearguard action in Australia. Notes for this theatre: 1. A reinforced Inf Div is driving on Tennant Creek for our last desired target on the continent. 2. On the west coast, the 4th ID drove to the gates of Townsville where it met over 50,000 Aussie defenders who quite easily kicked our 'sight-seeing' boys out of the hex. 3. Cloncurry was taken from an Aussie Recon unit and it is now held by a Construction unit and Inf Battalion. An large Naval Guard unit is being flown in to stiffen the defense. There has been no pursuit of the 4th ID as it makes its way back to Cairns. I am surprised by this but have no complaints. We have a sizeable air complement (about 200 planes) operating out of Australia hitting bases and troops. PLANS: We grab Tennant Creek and dig-in to hold it for as long as possible. Whenever the Aussies begin moving up the east coast our troops shall be evacuated to Port Moresby and Milne Bay to form the core of the defense there. Outer Perimeter I've been moving troops and supplies to create the actual Outer Defense Perimeter. With all the American CVs destroyed I can figure on at least 4-6 months before some sort of serious counter-punch in the Pacific. Kaigun Activities A. All operation Heavy Carriers (4 CV) are concentrating at Soerabaja in preparatio for the India Assault. B. A CVL and CVE is tasked with providing direct CAP over the Invasion Force--Stanislav Controlled C. ALL the slower BBs will provide bombardment and escort protection--Stanislav Controlled D. Most of the Fast BB/BC will travel with the Heavy Carriers. E. A damaged CV and CVL are nearly to Japan for repairs. They will then move back to Marshalls to provide some aerial support. F. Two BB and about 30 warships are operating out of Kwajalein and are aggressively hitting the Allied Line (Midway, Johnston, Palmyra, etc...). Just this turn BB Yamato and company sank a pair of DDs and large AK at Johnston. Want the Allies THINKING we're still interested in the Pacific before India manifests itself. Aleutians I just bought out two indepentant regiments from Korea to form the Aleutian Invasion Force. Only want a couple of the western islands so we have warning of any Allied move and that is it. This just about covers my side of the war.

FatR -> RE: New Operational Planning (9/10/2010 9:36:25 AM)
The big problem at this point lies in the fact, that Bataan and Java held for much longer, than I initially expected. Our opponents say that Bataan had no supplies for two weeks, I believe that their troops, as opposed to the base, ran out of them less than a week ago, judging by the moment when AA guns stopped firing, but either way, they were able to repel two assaults. On Java Soerabaja fell swiftly, but Batavia held for a time (and its industry was thoroughly ruined). Therefore we're almost out of the amphibious bonus, but troops won't be able to start loading for Ceilon for at least a week. This puts the whole idea of an all-out Indian offensive in peril. John proposes a landing in Bengal by my part of the force while the bonus still lasts, and seeing that Chittagong is weakly garrizoned and Allied aviation completely abandoned bases within IJAAF range, I think that an auxilary landing might be a good idea, and easy to pull off. Diamond Harbor is a more ambitious variant - I'll fly some more recon to see what Allies have there. John, what do you think about at least invading Ceilon quickly? The recent loss of operational tempo and analysis of garrizon requirements in India make me doubtful about the possibility of total conquest, but destroying British troops should be a worthwhile undertaking anyway (compared to other operations possible at the moment), and we can decide if it is possible to proceed further after it is done.

John 3rd -> RE: New Operational Planning (9/10/2010 2:03:20 PM)
What we need to grab is a lodgement by the end of the month. This would make taking something in Ceylon just barely possible... The Carriers at Singapore are available for CAP. BBs are ready. There should be plenty of troops also. How about you start loading troops this turn and we send the convoys ASAP? I'll have the 4 CV concentrated at that point and can cover the Left flank while your TF move towards the target. What do you think?

FatR -> RE: New Operational Planning (9/10/2010 2:30:40 PM)
We have two free divisions (5th and 18th) - of the forces meant for Ceilon at Batavia and I sent convoys that waited for clearing of the minefield there on the last turn. These can start loading immediately. I'll see what else can be grabbed right away when I get the next turn.

John 3rd -> RE: New Operational Planning (9/10/2010 3:40:15 PM)
Just went through the map from this turn. The following forces are available for an immediate lift towards Ceylon: Batavia 5th/18th ID 3 Artie Regiments 25th Army HQ Merak 3 IJAAF BF Bn 1 Con Bn 3 AA units Just left Batavia 33rd ID--A and B A three division landing SHOULD be able to do the trick at this juncture. Let us load them up ASAP and move out. The KB shall comprise the following: 4 CV (348 Planes), 1 BB, 5 BC, 3 CA, 4 CL, 4 CLAA, 2 CS, and 16 DD. It will move out from Soerabaja and launch a raid into the IO to grab try and bag shipping in the area. This will be a deep penetration raid starting on the WEST Coast of India and move back east. Mini-KB will be 2 CVL and 1 CVE (114 Planes) and it will provide direct CAP over the Invasion Fleet. There are 6 BB, 7 CA, and about 40 other warships at Singapore that can and will provide effective Close Support. Given the date I am not sure if we can get the troops ashore before April 1st but it will be close. Regardless, a 3 ID Landing should be able to grab one of the minor Ports there.

FatR -> RE: New Operational Planning (9/11/2010 12:44:09 PM)
33rd Division elements were from Padang, not Batavia... But they can be rerouted there for loading. I'll search for regiments and other elements transported from various corners of DEI to Singapore by sea on the next turn, maybe some of them can join the Batavian group.

Page: << < prev 13 14 15 16 [17]

Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI

5.125